The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1887-09-03
A Country Road.

manly vi our TeduefS i've III Lne
country. Many more live in the
cities. Quite a number from the
city visit the country. This paper
will reach some of them while still
away from the city.
We don't want to say anything
against city streets and store.win-
dows. Much that is interesting
goes on in the streets, and much
that is taking" is shown in the
shop-windows. These things have
a way of making themselves heard
and known. They are put in such
places and done in such a manner
as to compel attention. Uuless one
is blind his eye and ear will be
caught by the sights and sounds in
the street of a great city.
1t is different with the country
road. One may pass through that,
thinking only of the heat or cold, of
of the sand or clay, of the hill little
ways of, or the mountain at dis
lance. But, if eye is quick and if
ear is sensitive, the most common
road in the country will be found
possessed OF uncommon interest.
See that little yellow flower exam
inc it. 1t belongs to the pea family.
Look at that rose with single plain
petals Out of that all our great
varities of splendid roses were pro-
duced. Listen to the harper of the
marsh and pond. The frog moves
the stringes in his throat by putting
air through them, just as the fingers
Of player moves the strings of Tyre
or harp. What a deep base twang
there is i'll the croak Of big frog
what musical piping, with a skillful
thrill in it, is not by the frog, as
generally thought 1t is made by
the plain toad In nature gifts are
quite evenly distributed That little
bird of modest plumage is the song
sparrow, and off there in the thick
bush sits 4 brown-bird-thrush flow
ing over with delicious, almost de-
lirious, music. At your feet, in this
plain country road, are bugs of in
teresting habits; bees gathering
sweets from white clovers and the
industrious ant constructing its
wonderful house. Stop at the side
of the road, and, with care, remove
the side and part of the top of the
large ant-hill Don't be rude about
it. BE gentle and courteous, for YOU
are about to enter another persons
house There is the main hall.
Here Is the rcception-room. All
along there are the bod-chambers,
where eggs and young grubs are
found. With a little knowledge,
some patience and areal desire to
learn, you cali spend half a day at
that one spot, and then come hack
again for the next day. Do you
want a graceful, interesting bouquet?
Not one Of those set mosaics of
flowers, such as city florists make
up to order but one that gives
room for your own taste; that calls
out your own industry in gathering
the materials, and that really cult
Yates you while you arrange the
bouquet Yes?n Then take the
country road, with its simple flowers,
its clovers, ferns and grasses. with
here and there sprig Of vine or
the spray OF Il tree. After once get
ting the taste and acquiring the skill
for a wildwood and country-road
bouquet you will not wish to return
to the tame hot-house product any
more than the Sportsman relishes
chicken and perch after feasting
upon partridge and trout. There is
a gaminess and piquancy in the
country-road bouquet.
Seek the country road for rest.
Let the whole body yield itself up
to ear and eye. Walk slowly and
silently. No train is to be caught,
nor any beau. Just yield yourself
up for the hour to its influences.
Boyhood and girlhood will return
through its influences. Crickets in
shining black coats will amuse:
grasshoppers, green, brown and gray,
will invite to funny race, and you
will feel that one of the best exer-
cises and amusements is to be had
from walk on the country road.
Buekleniq Arnina galya